Farron invokes "wartime community spirit" at Green forum

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st May 2008

Last Friday local MP Tim Farron spoke on a panel of people at Levens Village Institute to discuss the topic "How Green are you," along with representatives of the Cumbrian Diocese and Cumbria County Council. The meeting was part of a series of three organised by churches in Levens, with the other issues being covered including addiction and genetic research, following the success of "Walk Cumbria" last year.

Mr Farron spoke strongly about the threat of climate change at the event, and warned the people in attendance that action must be taken now.

Speaking after the event, Mr Farron said:

"Climate change will hit hard unless we act; oil is running out, and it is high time politicians were honest with people about the cost of going Green. It is not going to be easy, but the results of inaction are far more severe than being out of pocket - we're talking complete devastation of the planet. That is why we must act to change people's habits. We must all try and become more energy efficient, and embrace new technologies such as tidal power, if we are to have a future on this planet.

"Whilst it is going to be hard to make the switch to being green, we have made sacrifices before, and Britain has emerged with a stronger society because of it. If we can invoke that wartime community spirit, which pulled the country through bombing and rationing, then I have no doubt that we can do it again for the benefit of this country and the world. If we all pull together and make those little changes, whether it be through recycling, light bulbs or walking and cycling to work, it will make a big difference. I feel no qualms in mentioning the war when talking about Climate Change - the threat is just as real, the result of failure just as devastating. However, if we manage to resurrect that community spirit in Levens, the Lakes and across Britain, I have no doubt that we can emerge victorious once more against a great threat to our way of life."